Cheesy Chicken Fajita Casserole

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Are you looking for a quick and easy dinner that’s packed with flavor? Cheesy Chicken Fajita Casserole is the answer! This tasty dish combines all the best parts of fajitas in one simple baked meal. You can have this family-friendly casserole ready in just 40 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights.

With juicy chicken, colorful bell peppers, and gooey melted cheese, this casserole is sure to be a hit. The best part? It only uses one dish, so cleanup is a breeze. Get ready to add this recipe to your regular dinner rotation!

Exact Ingredients List

Here’s what you’ll need to make this yummy Cheesy Chicken Fajita Casserole:

• 1 ½ pounds (680 g) skinless, boneless chicken breasts
• 2 tablespoons fajita seasoning
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 2 medium bell peppers, cut into strips
• 1 medium yellow onion, sliced
• 1 ½ cups shredded cheese
• Fresh cilantro for garnish (optional)

You’ll also need a baking dish to cook everything in. This recipe makes 4 servings, so it’s perfect for a family dinner.

The prep is quick and easy. You’ll only need about 10 minutes to get everything ready. Then, just pop it in the oven for 30 minutes and dinner is served!

Remember, you can change up the veggies if you like. Try using different color bell peppers for a fun look. You can also use your favorite type of cheese.

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Grab a baking dish and place the chicken breasts inside.

Sprinkle the fajita seasoning over the chicken. Pour the oil on top. Use your hands to rub the seasoning and oil all over the chicken. Make sure it’s evenly coated.

Next, add the sliced bell peppers and onions on top of the chicken. Sprinkle a bit more seasoning over the veggies.

Cover everything with the shredded cheese. Pop the dish in the oven, uncovered, for 25-30 minutes.

When it’s done, the cheese will be melty and the chicken cooked through. Take it out and let it cool for a few minutes.

Before serving, sprinkle some fresh cilantro on top if you like. Your cheesy chicken fajita casserole is ready to eat! Enjoy your tasty, one-dish meal.

Possible Substitutes List

You can easily swap out some ingredients in this cheesy chicken fajita casserole. Here are some tasty options:

• Protein: Use turkey breast, pork tenderloin, or firm tofu instead of chicken.
• Veggies: Try zucchini, mushrooms, or corn in place of bell peppers.
• Cheese: Swap cheddar for pepper jack, Monterey jack, or a Mexican cheese blend.
• Seasoning: Make your own fajita mix with chili powder, cumin, and garlic powder.
• Oil: Use olive oil or avocado oil if you don’t have vegetable oil.

For a low-carb version, you can add cauliflower rice to the bottom of the dish before the chicken. This soaks up the yummy juices.

Want to make it spicier? Add some diced jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce to the mix. You can also top it with sliced avocado or a dollop of sour cream when serving.

Remember, these swaps might change the cooking time a bit. Keep an eye on your casserole as it bakes.

How To Make It Diabetes-Friendly

To make this cheesy chicken fajita casserole more diabetes-friendly, you can try a few simple tweaks. First, use skinless chicken breasts to reduce fat content. Cut back on the cheese by using just 1 cup instead of 1 1/2 cups.

For the fajita seasoning, make your own low-sodium blend at home. Mix chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, and paprika. This lets you control the salt.

Add more non-starchy veggies like zucchini or mushrooms. They’re low in carbs and high in fiber. You can also swap the bell peppers for lower-carb options like spinach or kale.

Instead of vegetable oil, use olive oil or avocado oil. These have healthier fats. You only need 2 teaspoons instead of a full tablespoon.

Serve smaller portions and pair with a big salad. This helps control carb intake. For a lower-carb side, try cauliflower rice instead of regular rice.

Cooking tips:

• Dice chicken into 1-inch cubes for faster, even cooking
• Use a meat thermometer to check doneness (165°F)
• Let casserole rest 5 minutes before serving

These changes make the dish more balanced while keeping the yummy fajita flavors you love.

Tips, Tricks & Storing

For the best results, slice your chicken breasts in half if they’re thick. This helps them cook more evenly and quickly.

You can prep the veggies ahead of time to save time on busy weeknights. Cut the peppers and onions up to a day in advance and store them in the fridge.

Try using different colored bell peppers for a more colorful dish. Red, yellow, and green peppers all work great!

To make cleanup easier, line your baking dish with foil before adding the ingredients.

If you like spicy food, add some diced jalapeños or a pinch of cayenne pepper to the fajita seasoning.

Got leftovers? Store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or oven until hot.

You can freeze this casserole too! Wrap it tightly and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

For a fun twist, serve the casserole with tortilla chips on the side. You can use them to scoop up the cheesy goodness!